X-DoNotUse-Sports

Vick Iffy For Miami Showdown

October 28, 2000 / 9:03 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Virginia Tech proved in a dramatic victory against Pittsburgh that it can win without it's star quarterback, Michael Vick.

That's a good thing, because the way Vick was moving after the second-ranked Hokies' 37-34 victory Saturday night, they may have to do it again at Miami next weekend in a game that will knock the loser from championship contention.

Vick suffered a sprained right ankle just before halftime when he was sacked in a collapsing pile. X-rays at halftime showed no break, but Vick looked nothing like college football's most exciting player as he hobbled gingerly after the game.

On Sunday, however, trainer Mike Goforth re-examined Vick's ankle and said he was pleasantly surprised by how much the swelling had gone down, especially compared to the high ankle sprain that caused Vick to miss a game last season.

"To me it looked a lot better than I expected it to, since there wasn't any swelling," Goforth said. "It doesn't compare to last year's, according to Michael and according to my clinical evaluation. I feel pretty good about his chances."

Still, Goforth said that the chances were "50-50" that Vick would play.

Vick couldn't put any weight on his foot after the game, but Goforth said he was able to withstand some weight Sunday and "is getting around a lot better."

Vick's game is built on speed and elusiveness, and while Virginia Tech has ordered a special brace that Vick could wear on the field, the key remains how well his ankle can withstand the stress of Vick's movements.

"You never know how somebody's going to respond to one of these, especially somebody that has to do what Michael does," Goforth said. "To see the bend he gets in his body on a lot of his moves, it's kind of like a Barry Sanders-type thing."

"A lot of times with ankle injuries, you'll be able to run straight ahead but not be able to do the cutting and that type stuff," he said. "Since his game is cutting and being able to make plays, we won't know until that time comes."

Miami coach Butch Davis isn't buying that Vick is questionable for the game, which has been anticipated all season as another epic in the growing rivalry.

"He's not hurt. If you think he's hurt, you're kidding yourself," Davis said Sunday, acknowledging that Vick "probably sprained his ankle" against Pittsburgh but not enough to have him standing on the sidelines of the Orange Bowl.

Earlier this season, before the Hurricanes played Florida State, reports all week suggested Seminoles quarterback Chris Weinke was questionable with an ankle injuy, but Weinke played the whole game in Miami's dramatic 27-24 victory.

"Weinke wasn't going to play," Davis said. "Weinke wasn't hurt."

Vick's special brace should arrive during the week, and he will have his foot immobilized in the interim, except to do range-of-motion and other exercises.

On Saturday, wearing a work boot on his left foot, a slipper and sock on his right and a wince on his face, Vick said he hoped to be able to play this week.

"Hopefully I can get good treatment and get ready for Saturday. That's the biggest game of the year. I'll do anything in my power not to miss it," he said.

Backup Dave Meyer, who directed the Hokies to 10 fourth-quarter points in their third come-from-behind victory in a row, said the Hokies would rather have Vick for the Hurricanes, but will be ready even if their marquee player isn't.

"I think we're fully capable with the talent that we have to go down there, stay on track and finish our goals for the season," the fifth-year senior said.

Meyer completed 7 of 13 passes against the Panthers, including three straight for first downs in the 74-yard drive to Carter Warley's game-winning 27-yard field goal with 16 seconds left. After a slow start, the big finish only proved that Meyer has the talent to be the starter for most other teams, his teammates said.

"I knew he was going to come in and make big plays," said wide receiver Emmett Johnson, who caught a 29-yard pass on 3rd-and-7 with Tech trailing 34-27. "Dave is like a starter. He's just got an excellent quarterback in front of him."

Coach Frank Beamer said the team knew Meyer could do the job.

"I thought he handled himself great, and from the reception in our locker room, I think our players thought he handled himself great, too," he said.